'Know the risks in each room of your home' - Fire Safety Week underway in Meath
Image 1 of 2
Firefighters Brendan Heffernan and Sarah Weldon of Nobber Fire Service discuss fire safety with local resident Dudley Farrell.Image 2 of 2
Firefighters Sarah Weldon and Brendan Heffernan of Nobber Fire Service visited homes in Nobber village following a recent house fire in the area as part of a ‘hot strike’ initiative.Fire Safety Week takes place this week from 12th to 19th October with this year’s theme ‘Know the Risk, Know the Room, Know the Person’ encouraging everyone to take simple steps to reduce the risk of fire in their homes and communities.
The theme encourages people to consider the risks in each room of their home, such as cooking, heating or electrical hazards, while also considering the individual needs of those living in the home, particularly older people or those who may need assistance in an emergency.
Meath County Council Fire and Rescue Service (MCCFRS) is supporting Fire Safety Week with a range of activities across the county, including fire safety awareness talks, school visits, public information stands and community fire safety initiatives.
As part of these activities, Nobber Fire Service carried out what is know as a 'hot strike' following a recent fire in a local housing estate. Firefighters visited homes in the surrounding area, engaging directly with residents, providing practical fire safety advice and highlighting the importance of having working smoke alarms.
The importance of working smoke alarms remains a key message during Fire Safety Week. It is estimated that approximately 2,200 homes in Meath do not have a smoke alarm, highlighting the importance of continued fire safety awareness and community engagement.
MCCFRS is encouraging everyone to take three simple actions: check your smoke alarms and make sure they are working; have an escape plan and make sure everyone in your household knows how to get out safely in the event of a fire; and check on neighbours, relatives and vulnerable members of the community, particularly older people or those who may require assistance in an emergency.
Fire Safety Week is also an opportunity to promote MCCFRS’s Home Fire Safety Check (HFSC) Programme, which helps householders identify potential fire risks and provides practical advice on making their homes safer, with particular consideration for those who may be more vulnerable to fire.
Sheila Broderick, Chief Fire Officer, Meath County Council Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Fire Safety Week is an important opportunity to remind everyone of the simple steps we can all take to reduce the risk of fire in our homes. This year’s theme, ‘Know the Risk, Know the Room, Know the Person’, encourages us to consider not only the potential fire risks within the home, but also the individual needs of the people living there.
"Our message for Fire Safety Week is a simple one: check your smoke alarms, have an escape plan and take a moment to check on a neighbour or relative who may be more vulnerable. We want to encourage everyone to take a few minutes to think about fire safety. These are simple actions, but they can save lives.”
MCCFRS will also be active on social media throughout Fire Safety Week, sharing fire safety tips, success stories and updates from school visits, public information stands and other promotional events taking place across the county.
Members of the public are encouraged to follow these channels and share the content to help spread fire safety awareness within their families and communities.
Anyone wishing to participate in the Home Fire Safety Check (HFSC) Programme can contact 046 909 7000 or email communityfiresafety@meathcoco.ie. More information can be found here on www.meath.ie/council/council-services/emergency-services/fire-service/community-fire-safety/home-fire-safety-check.